280 Of the early History of Sindh. [No. 112. 



rank of ameer, and on the death of the latter, succeeded to the go- 

 vernment of Tattah. He was a good and merciful man, noted for his 

 courage and energy. Two of his sons, Mirza Mahmoud Bakee, and 

 Mirza Mahomed Taleb were at enmity ; the latter being favoured by 

 his father, defeated Mahomed Bakee, who fled to Bukkur and sought 

 protection from Mahmoud. Mahomed Saleh was shortly afterwards 

 murdered by a Beloockee, who had sworn not to wear his turban, until 

 he had revenged himself for some injury committed upon his father 

 and family. 



Mahmoud interceded with Mirza Eessan for the forgiveness of Maho- 

 med Bakee who returned to Tattah, and was kindly received; but 

 Death of Mirza Em- Mirza Eessan before his death, which happened in 

 san - the year 974 h. 1566, a. d. wished to settle the suc- 



cession upon his youngest son, Khan Baber, as he considered Maho- 

 med Bakee of too tyrannical a disposition to rule. 



Mirza Mahomed Bakee Tirkhan 



succeeded his father, Mirza Eessan Tirkhan as governor of Tattah, 

 and like him continued alternately at peace and war with Mahmoud 

 Khan, governor of Bukkur. A brief account of the career of this 

 man, who for nineteen years divided the government of Sindh, with 

 two of the rulers of Tirkhan, will not be out of place in this part of 

 the history. 



Mahmoud Khan was the son of Meer Fazil Kukultash, in the ser- 

 vice of Meer Zulnoon ; his forefathers were residents 

 Origin of Mahmoud f Ispahan. Meer Fazil had five wives, by each of 

 whom he had a son. Mahmoud's mother was an Af~ 

 ghaun. At the early age of fourteen he gave promise of great courage, 

 and attracted the attention of Shah Beg, who took him into his ser- 

 vice ; he accompanied him in the Sindh campaign, where he distinguish- 

 ed himself above all the nobles of Shah Beg's army ; he subsequently be- 

 came a governor of Bukkur during the time of Mirza Shah Hussein, 

 whom he faithfully served, until he leagued with Mirza Eessan Tir- 

 khan to divide the government of the country between them after 

 Shah Hussein's death. The history of these proceedings, and the feuds 

 and jealousies which arose between these chiefs, have been related, till 

 the accession of Mirza Bakee. 



